One of the stories that has always both bothered and convicted me in the Scriptures is found in Luke 17:11-19…
It bothers me because TEN lepers cried out to Jesus…TEN lepers were so desperate that they were willing to be ridiculed…TEN lepers knew that Jesus could heal their disease…TEN lepers heard His voice…and TEN lepers were cleansed.
BUT…ONE leper came back…ONE leper praise Him in “a loud voice”...ONE leper fell at His feet…ONE leper was truly thankful…and ONE leper met and experienced Jesus on a level that the TEN should have.
It is so easy to get angry at the other nine guys…unless…we realize that we actually have more in common with them than we do the one who came back to give thanks.
Seriously…when was the last time you stopped and thanked Jesus for all He has done for you? (Confession…I don’t do it enough!!!)
Most of us are desperate people when circumstances call for it…but…what if we were as desperate for His presence and power when things are going well?
The Bible tells us in I Thessalonians 5:16-18 that we should give thanks in all circumstances…
I believe we would walk in greater joy if we spent more time THANKING Him for all He has done rather than COMPLAINING to Him about all that we think He needs to do!
Anything you need to thank Him for?
- Your spouse…
- Your job…
- Your kids…
- Your money…
- Your health…
- Your friends….
- Your church….
- Your house…
The list could go on and on…and the WORSE mistake we could make is to ask Him for something, He radically blessed us…and then we act as if we deserved His kindness.
This is hitting me hard right now…I need to spend WAY more time giving Him thanks!